Florida House backs amended texting ban

The Florida House passed a bill to ban texting while driving Wednesday, with a controversial amendment that blocks police from accessing cellphone records to prove violations.

After the 110-6 vote, the measure goes back to the Senate, which had passed an earlier version without the amendment.

Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, said she remained undecided on whether to accept the provision, which she believes weakens the bill, or to remove the amendment and send the bill back to the House — a move that could endanger the final approval of the bill in the waning days of the session.

Lawmakers are scheduled to adjourn Friday.

The House vote was a victory for Rep. Doug Holder, R-Venice, who has pushed for the texting ban for the last five years. This was the first year that Holder, along with co-sponsor, Rep. Ray Pilon, R-Sarasota, were able to get the bill heard in a House committee and moved to the floor.

Before the vote, Holder cited a series of statistics showing that texting while driving greatly increases the chances of accidents and is as dangerous as drinking and driving. “It’s the No. 1 driving distraction for teen drivers,” Holder said.

Under the bill, first-time violators would face a $30 civil fine plus court costs. It is a secondary non-moving violation, meaning drivers could only be charged with the violation if they are stopped for another reason.

The amendment added Tuesday allows law enforcement officers to access a driver’s cellphone records only in cases in which accidents caused a death or injury.

Florida is one of a handful of state with no regulations on driving and texting.

Lloyd Dunkelberger

Lloyd Dunkelberger is the Htpolitics.com Capital Bureau Chief.
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Last modified: May 1, 2013
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